As we have had a few players missing over the last few months, i was wondering which of the missing players would've made a big difference to our fortunes of late. McG hasn't played since the FA cup games, Hyam around the same time and both the Hunt brothers as well. Would either of them, or even all of them made a difference, and that we wouldn't be losing as many of the games that we did? Who do you guys think we've missed the most? Is it McG's creativity and calmness on the ball, and his understanding partnership with Murphy? Or is it Hyam's battling in midfield, breaking up play and linking the midfield with the front two. Or maybe S Hunt's enthusiasm and set pieces is what we've been missing. I added Noel Hunt in as well, as he seemed the perfect "plan b" as back up to McG and Murphy. I personally feel that both Hyam and McG's absence have been a huge loss. Even though he's not having as good a season as last, McG was an accomplice to Murphy and their understanding was invaluable. Hyam we've missed as we haven't had someone in midfield to battle, win tackles and "be in the faces" of the opposition. Hopefully, if we can get these two back soon, and fit, then hopefully that will lift the team and we can start winning a few more matches. Your thoughts?
S Hunt weirdly adds decent balance down the left and set pieces are a plus. McGoldrick definitely missed. Hyam - not so sure. Blood and thunder but often miles off the play. I think Chaplow is miles better.
Probably all of them to a degree. Hyam offers himself for the ball from the defenders and gets stuck in. McG, although I was slating him for taking selfish shots at goal, does help link midfield and attack by dropping deep and looking for the ball. S Hunt does indeed have a decent set piece delivery and his brother is a good option from the bench so you could say we've missed them all. Not having Ambrose as an option hurt us a bit too I think. He was just getting up to match speed and another handy option.
Hyam mainly. Not because of his ability, but given how desperately short we have been in terms of options in midfield recently his energy would help in counteracting the lack of control of the ball the team has. The option to use Hyam would have helped in quite a few of the recent matches just by giving the midfield a bit of drive and bite. Clearly he is not the greatest in possession, but our pedestrian midfield could have at least been given a shake up with Hyam available McG is an odd one. Clearly a very talented player, but with Sears in the squad we have an able replacement. I honestly think the combination of McG and N. Hunt has hurt us more as basically 2 thirds of our attacking options were unavailable and therefore replacements were not as easily integrated. It is definitely a positive to have McG as an option once more though as this atleast gives us some flexibility in terms of approach and style of play
I'm not actually sure we've missed any of them greatly. Hyam wasn't in great form before he got injured and whilst Hunt was fairly decent for us, as Westlake said he adds a bit of balance and his running in support of the attack is good, he's didn't exactly stand out. McGoldrick wasn't in great form this season and I've never been convinced by his team play. I was never totally convinced of the balance of Murphy and McGoldrick as a pairing alone upfront together, I think Sears and Murphy look a far more balance pairing, often Murphy and McGoldrick are too static. I just think we've come of the rails a little and this has been down to going back to a 442 and not playing proper wingers, not because we've missed anyone in particular. I do however like the sound of playing a Murphy and Sears together with McGoldrick in a slight withdrawn role.
